Social Issues

Human Rights
The Rev. John Wagner. Photo courtesy of the author.

A plea for ‘costly solidarity’ in Middle East

How is God calling us to respond to the ongoing violence in the Middle East? A pastor shares insights from the West Bank.
Immigration
Bishop Minerva Carcaño (left), chair of the United Methodist Immigration Task Force, listens as the Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, top staff executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, speaks during the United Methodist Immigration Task Force meeting, held Nov. 18-20 in Los Angeles. The gathering brought together church agencies, migrant ministries, bishops and ecumenical partners to strengthen coordinated advocacy. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.

Task force responds to growing needs facing immigrants

The United Methodist Immigration Task Force has reorganized and issued an Advent call to the church to welcome and support migrants.
Social Concerns
Sarah Metroff (left), marketing manager of investment for Wespath Benefits and Investments, speaks with M. Theresa Basile (middle), co-founder of United Methodists for Kairos Response, and Andy Hendren (right), top executive of Wespath, during September meetings at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Wespath organized the summit to foster dialogue about its investments. Photo courtesy of Wespath Benefits and Investments.

Investment debates underway for 2028

After the clock ran out on the discussion at the 2024 General Conference, debate is already underway regarding how Wespath Benefits and Investments can invest more ethically.
Social Concerns
Members of four annual conferences in the U.S. Northeast cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., where police attacked peaceful marchers on March 7, 1965, on what is known as Bloody Sunday. The visit was part of the group’s July 12-19 Civil Rights Journey, a tour of sacred sites of the Civil Rights Movement. Photo by Jeannie Schott, Western Pennsylvania Conference.

United Methodist tours explore civil rights struggles

Churches, conferences and universities are promoting advocacy against racism and encouraging reflection on the ongoing struggles for racial justice by sponsoring pilgrimages to historic sites.

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